OC Transpo needs Audited not ‘peer reviewed: - Brooks

Not surprising Citizen columnist, Randall Denley again missed the critical point in his February 25^th missive, “Spinning their wheels”. The real question is quite simple: accepting a ‘peer review’ of O-C Transpo operations or having an immediate independent comprehensive ‘audit’.

A ‘peer review’ is not a comprehensive audit.

My point: Although American Public Transit Association (APTA) will do the ‘peer review,’ staff will determine the terms of reference – key point in determining the outcomes.  The review will be by those in the transpo business – a little like a department investigating itself! Thus, the perception that staff may attempt to … manage the outcomes. 

This, recommended one week ‘peer review’ of O-C Transpo’s $600+ million budget would then be reviewed by a city Review Panel. Finally, the City’s Auditor General would do his review of the reviews.

That APTA has the ability to audit O-C Transpo in a week – is simply overly optimistic. I asked about costs – apparently APTA is doing the ‘peer review’ for travel, room and board – you get what you pay for and they get a holiday!

As stated: “I am recommending that Council cut to the chase and request the Office of the Auditor General … to proceed directly with a comprehensive audit.”

“In short, let’s stop this pussy-footing around and get the job underway not by consultants who may or may not have a vested interest, but by the Auditor General who is mandated and authorized to call a spade a spade.” - glenn

It would seem in the Denley article, he prefers the ‘pussy-footing’ around approach!

Quoting Mr. Denley: “If Brooks is leading you in one direction, it is usually wise to head in another and councillors chose to go with El-Chantiry’s less ridiculous plan.” Mr. Denley neglected to mention that 8 other councillors supported my motion – 4 councillors were absent.

What caught my attention was Denley’s comment,” If Brooks is … it is usually wise to head in another direction… .”  Well, let’s see if the self-proclaimed sage’s comments are reflected in Council’s decisions.

Council supported the following motions re: staff vacancies, that saved the taxpayers $10 million; the motion that brought broadband into the city’s rural areas; the four procurement-related motions supported by the Auditor General; purchase of Dickinson Square properties; bringing sewers into the Village of Manotick; securing funding for Nicolls Island; the extension of Van Vliet Street to Bridge Street to stand up for village rights – Secondary Plans,

Let us not forget my motion that established the Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne Or my motion that responded to provincial Reg. 562 that would have curtailed most church suppers across the Province Or my motion in response to Bill 170 that resulted in businesses and public facilities on well water from installing very expensive filtration systems OR my motion moved at committee by former Councillor Alex Munter to waive back municipal taxes accrued by Legions within the City.

Thank God, Council didn’t listen too closely to Mr. Denley and ‘head in another direction’!!

Denley, “Brooks even went so far as to say that staff are filtering and managing information so that councillors are kept in the dark. No need for that.” Perhaps, there ought to be term limits on blind, deaf columnists working at City Hall.

Surely, Mr. Denley can recall the uproar around the LRT project when information was withheld from Council. Filtering, you say? Never happens, you say – nonsense!

Mr. Denley lives in my ward. Other than one meeting over the last 4 years, I have never encountered him at any of my many meetings or numerous social events. If Randall Denley would mingle with us common folk, he would acquire a more informed perspective of what the real people think about both Staff and Council. – Councillor Glenn Brooks, Ward 21

Neighbourhood Watch – Manotick:

“It was reported by one of our Neighbourhood Watch Members, that at 3:00am today (Wednesday February 24^th), tracks in the new fallen snow were seen leading to the vehicles and garages of many houses on Potter, Pettapiece, Goddard and surrounding streets.    The watch member startled a suspect on Goddard, who fled on foot.  The Police were contacted and a report made, unfortunately, no one was caught.  Several garages were also seen open at that time, possibly after the suspect(s) gained entry to them via an open vehicle or an open garage door. 

If you find that you are missing any property from either your vehicle or garage, please report them to the Police immediately at:  613-236-1222 x7300.

Also, please make sure that you LOCK your VEHICLE and GARAGE DOORS, especially after this report.  Also, alert any Neighbours you think might not be members of the Neighbourhood Watch!” - Michael and Terri

Heads Up! 10 King Street, Richmond, D02-02-10-0010:

Please note that I am in receipt of a complete application for a zoning by-law amendment to permit semi-detached units (up to 40) on the subject land, and remove the flood plain overlay.  The current zoning allows for singles around the perimeter and row dwellings internal. 

The circulation should be out with the next week.  Please let me know if you have any concerns.